Costco
Facts
- HQ
- Issaquah
- Sectors
- Retail, Warehouse
- Founded
- 1976
- Employees
- 304000
- Stage
- Public
Madrona Leads Buywander’s Series A to Turn $900B in U.S. Retail Returns into Discounted Deals for Value-Shopping Consumers
Madrona led Buywander’s Series A because the company repackages retail returns into discounted discoveries for value-focused shoppers, addressing a growing structural market driven by rising returns and affordability-driven consumer behavior.
Cowboy Space signs 291,035-sq-ft Kent lease to build orbital AI data centers, adding ~300 jobs
Cowboy Space signed a 291,035-square-foot lease in Kent to build hardware for orbital AI data centers, marking the Puget Sound area's largest industrial lease of 2026 and expected to create about 300 jobs. The 2023-founded aerospace firm plans its first Nova Pathfinder rocket launch in early 2027 and has offices in San Carlos and Seattle.
Cowboy Space leases 291,035-sq-ft Kent facility to build hardware for solar-powered orbital AI data centers
Cowboy Space has leased a 291,035-square-foot former Costco distribution center in Kent, Washington, to convert into a production site for space and rocket hardware and support its plan to build solar-powered orbital AI data centers. The facility, brokered by Newmark, could create about 300 jobs and is the Puget Sound region's largest industrial deal so far this year.
GeekWire Podcast, Live from Fremont: Seahawks, AI, and Seattle's Future
We're live this week in the "Center of the Universe" in Seattle for a special recording of the GeekWire Podcast, presented by the Fremont Chamber of Commerce at Fremont Brewing Co. Fresh off the Seahawks' Super Bowl victory, we debate some potential ownership groups for the Seahawks and Sonics — from Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez to Costco's Jim Sinegal. (Who wouldn't want $1.50 hot dogs and sodas at Lumen Field or Climate Pledge Arena?) Then we dig into the debate over Seattle's tech future, sparked by angel investor Charles Fitzgerald's GeekWire column, "A warning to Seattle: Don't become the…
Rad Power Bikes Files Chapter 11, Owes $8.3 Million to U.S. Customs as Tariffs Pressure E-Bike Industry
Rad Power Bikes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, listing an $8.3 million unpaid tariff bill to U.S. Customs among its largest debts, highlighting financial challenges amid COVID-driven demand declines and rising costs in the e-bike industry.
Lumen Bioscience adds Jeff Raikes to board, promotes executives and secures $30M Series C extension led by WestRiver Group
Lumen Bioscience announced board and leadership changes—including Jeff Raikes joining as an independent director, promotions of Nhi Khuong and Kole Krieger, and appointment of David Saunders—and elected Erik Anderson as Vice Chairman. The company also closed an oversubscribed $30 million Series C extension led by WestRiver Group with participation from the Gates Foundation and several new investors to support its orally delivered biologics clinical pipeline.
Find Ventures Shuts Down After Six Years Due to Funding Challenges, Donates Remaining Funds to UW
Find Ventures, a nonprofit supporting early stage Washington startups and underrepresented entrepreneurs with non-dilutive funding, is shutting down due to funding challenges after six years. The organization raised $700,000 in 2022 but could not secure capital for a second cohort amid a challenging macro environment and declining donor interest.
Seattle's Electric Era Raises $8.9M Debt to Expand Battery-Integrated DC Fast Chargers Amid EV Policy Headwinds
Seattle startup Electric Era is raising nearly $8.9 million in debt to fund its DC fast-charging systems with giant batteries, expanding EV charging infrastructure across the U.S. despite political challenges and reductions in tax incentives.
Washington’s Proposed 5% Payroll Tax on Large Employers Draws Tech Industry Backlash Amid $16B Budget Shortfall
Washington state Democrats propose a 5% statewide payroll tax on wages exceeding $176,100 for companies with payrolls over $7 million to address a $16 billion budget gap, drawing criticism from CEOs and tech leaders including Microsoft President Brad Smith who warn it could harm the tech sector and drive businesses away.
Seattle Startup Summit Highlights City's AI Strengths and Need for More Entrepreneurial Energy
At the inaugural Seattle Startup Summit, leaders like Statsig CEO Vijaye Raji and Acquired podcast co-host Ben Gilbert highlighted Seattle's strong AI ecosystem, anchored by tech giants Amazon and Microsoft, and specialization in biotech and disease research. Despite this, they noted the city could benefit from cultivating a more vibrant entrepreneurial culture to maximize its potential in AI innovation.
Prism Worldwide Raises $40M from Jim Sinegal to Expand Tire Recycling Technologies
Prism Worldwide, a Kirkland-based startup focused on recycling used tires into versatile polymers, secured $40 million in funding from investors including Jim Sinegal. The company uses patented technology to convert end-of-life tires into materials for products like car mats and shipping racks, aiming to improve tire recycling options.
Seattle Emerges as Leading Hub for Supply Chain Software Startups Backed by Amazon and Convoy Veterans
Seattle has become a leading hub for supply chain software innovation, driven by logistics giants like Amazon and startups such as Convoy and Shipium. The region's unique talent pool, supported by global companies and advances in technology, is fostering significant growth and investment in logistics startups.
Taskrabbit Absorbs Seattle Moving Service Dolly in April 2024, Expanding Its On-Demand Delivery Reach
Taskrabbit acquired Seattle-based moving service Dolly in April 2024, integrating its operations while keeping the two brands separate. Dolly, founded in 2014 and previously acquired by Updater in 2021, now operates as a Taskrabbit division with key executive transitions occurring since the acquisition.
Seattle-Based Electric Era Launches First EV Fast Charger at Costco, Plans 50 More Stations by 2025
Electric Era, an EV charging startup based in Seattle, has installed its first fast charger at a Costco in Ridgefield, Washington, and aims to deploy 50 more stations by the end of 2025. The company benefits from its new spacious headquarters, which has helped demonstrate its credibility to major clients like Costco.
WestRiver’s Sean Maier: Product–Market Fit Requires Desperate Customers, Unique Solutions, Exceptional Teams and a Viable Business Model
Sean Maier of WestRiver Group defines product–market fit as the intersection of desperate customers, unique solutions, and exceptional teams, and argues a viable, profit-making business model is required before pursuing growth.
Acquired Podcast Founders Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal Launch Growth-Stage Tech Investment Fund
Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal, founders and hosts of the Acquired podcast, are launching a new investment fund to invest in growth-stage tech companies, leveraging opportunities from their podcast network. Their fund formalizes their existing personal investments in startups like Vanta and Modern Treasury without turning into a traditional venture capital firm.
Who will be the Next Tech Titan? Previewing the GeekWire Awards
This week on the show, we get a sneak preview of the GeekWire Awards, coming up at the Showbox SoDo in Seattle on Thursday, May 9. We look back at the past winners of the Next Tech Titan title in the awards, and consider the event's track record in predicting major companies to emerge from Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. We also contemplate the evolution of the "Workplace of the Year" category through the rise of remote and hybrid work. And finally, we consider the impact of migration on another part of state: Spokane, Wash., and the Inland Northwest. See…
Seattle VCs James Newell and Jason Stoffer Debate UW vs. Michigan as Football and Tech Rivalry Heats Up
Seattle-area venture capitalists James Newell (University of Washington) and Jason Stoffer (University of Michigan) engage in friendly tech investor football rivalry ahead of the College Football Playoff championship. Both praise their universities' engineering programs and entrepreneurial impact while playfully debating their teams' prospects.
Ben Gilbert Transitions to Venture Partner at Pioneer Square Labs to Focus on Top-Ranking 'Acquired' Podcast
Ben Gilbert, co-founder of Pioneer Square Labs, is shifting from managing director and general partner to venture partner to focus on the popular 'Acquired' podcast, which now has over 450,000 monthly listeners and is the top tech podcast on Apple and Spotify. The podcast's in-depth episodes require extensive research and production time, leading Gilbert to prioritize it over his previous dual roles.
Seattle’s Oldest Angel Group Puget Sound Venture Club Merges with Alliance of Angels After Nearly 40 Years
Puget Sound Venture Club, Seattle's oldest angel group founded by Gary Ritner in 1985, is merging its membership with Alliance of Angels to create a larger impact on the Pacific Northwest startup ecosystem. The merger involves around 30 members, no financial transaction, and plans for Ritner to remain actively involved in the combined group.
Stephanie King Launches Kitchen & Market, Reviving Corner Stores with Fresh Foods and Local Brands in Seattle Area
Stephanie King, founder of Kitchen & Market, is revitalizing the corner store concept in Seattle neighborhoods with her small grocery chain emphasizing fresh foods, local brands, and convenience. Despite COVID-19 challenges, her stores now include online ordering and delivery for meal kits, aiming to make grocery shopping easier and less daunting.
Microsoft Veteran Kevin Wang Launches Mentors in Tech Program Supporting Community College Students in Tech Careers
Kevin Wang, a Microsoft veteran, founded Mentors in Tech (MinT) to support community college students pursuing tech careers by connecting them with mentors and internships. The program has engaged nearly 500 students nationally, aiming to address workforce diversity and skill shortages by helping overlooked, underserved students gain entry into the tech industry.
IA40 Spotlight: Cresta Co-founder and CEO Zayd Enam on Using AI to Empower People to be More Productive
We've all struggled with call center experiences. Madrona's Ishani Ummat talks with Cresta Co-founder and CEO Zayd Enam about the unique angle Cresta takes to leverage AI to drive a better customer experience in real time. The two dive into the important topic of how AI can be used to help empower people to be more productive. we hear the story of why Zayd dropped out of his Ph.D. program to pursue launching his own company based on what he explains as the "schlep blindness" of contact centers. He also discusses the unique way he landed his first customer, which…
Pebblebee names Sourcenext executive Doug Bieter CEO after $5M Sourcenext investment and partnership
Seattle-based tracking-device maker Pebblebee secured a $5 million investment and partnership from Japanese distributor Sourcenext and named Sourcenext partner-development head Doug Bieter as its new CEO to help scale the eight-year-old startup, while co-founder Daniel Daoura transitions to CTO.
Washington Dept. of Commerce and Find Ventures launch Equitable Innovations Accelerator offering up to $100,000 grants to 10 Washington startups
The Washington State Department of Commerce and Find Ventures are launching the Equitable Innovations Accelerator to provide up to $100,000 in philanthropic, non-dilutive grants, programming, and mentorship to ten Washington tech startups led by Black, women, refugee, or other historically marginalized founders. The program, supported by private donors and the Washington Technology Industry Association, aims to address disparities in early-stage funding highlighted by low VC investment rates for underrepresented founders.
